An unbearable season was made even more brutal for Red Sox fans with the shocking decision to fire longtime play-by-play man Don Orsillo this week.

NESN, the network that broadcasts Red Sox games, offered no explanation as to why Orsillo wouldn’t be brought back after 15 years calling games for the team. The Boston Globe reported NESN’s vice president for programming and production Joseph Maar was no fan of Orsillo’s. ESPN play-by-play man — and Massachusetts native — Dave O’Brien will take over the role next season.

Don Orsillo walked out of broadcast booth, shrugged, and said: "I'm sorry, I got nothing."

— Gordon Edes (@GordonEdes) August 26, 2015

Fans and Boston reporters spoke out on Twitter in the wake of the decision.

Don Orsillo not commenting out in Chicago but he doesn't have to. There is a great deal of unrest among Sox viewers. Orsillo is Family.

— Mike Lynch (@LynchieWCVB) August 25, 2015

2-3 hours a night, 100+ nights year for 15 years, people let Orsillo into living rooms. Intimate, emotional relationship. Hence the reaction

— Obnoxious Boston Fan (@realOBF) August 26, 2015

So the dude who fired Orsillo made his Twitter account private today after word got out. What a coward.

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) August 25, 2015

The Red Sox have made a lot of moves the last two years that haven't worked out. But none have been as senseless as letting go of Orsillo.

— Tim Britton (@TimBritton) August 25, 2015

But no one took it harder, aside from Orsillo himself, than analyst Jerry Remy.

“For the last 15 years, it’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Don,” a tearful Remy told reporters after the Red Sox beat the White Sox in Chicago. “I can remember him sitting in the booth when the job became available. He was asking me if there was any chance he could get it. I said a few things to a few people. He’s been an outstanding partner for 15 years, and I’m truly going to miss him on a work-related side, and I’m going to miss him on a personal side because he also has become a very, very close friend of mine.

“I know that he’s going to land on his feet and he’s going to be in great shape. I’m sure they’re going to be lining up for his services. I really mean that. He’s terrific at what he does, he’s been absolutely fabulous to work with. I love him, and he’s going to do just fine. I’m not worried about that part of it.”